Unions unconvinced of govt. plans

Union officials stated that announcements of work groups and meetings for solving problems caused by the economic crisis are “empty words” from the government. According to Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic, at the meeting of the work group, there will be discussions regarding the government’s package of measures for avoiding a radicalization of strikes, which is expected to be adopted by the end of August. Unions unconvinced of govt. plans Union officials, however, are not convinced of the government’s intentions. The Independence Union stated that it sees the government working group for helping those most effected by the crisis as just another empty promise. One of the announced government measures which could potentially stop the large number of strikes announced for this fall is the adoption of the law for linking years of employment for workers. Ljajic said that the package of measures calls for individual talks with officials of the fields most effective by this economic crisis: construction, metalwork, chemicals and textiles. Ljajic added that problem in other sectors will not be overlooked. He said that talks are already being led with officials of the textile industry for implementing special measures for this field, which employs some 60,000 people. As a cause of the desperate material situation of workers, in addition to the economic crisis, unions said that the lack of organization in the industry and the failed privatizations of the last ten years are also to blame. Independent trade union center President Branislav Canak said that the government is dealing with marginal issues in its efforts to help the workers of Serbia. The government formed the working group for dealing with the problems caused by the economic crisis because there were a total of 30 ongoing strikes at the end of July in Serbia. Workers are on strike in nearly every major city and town in Serbia. Unions have announced a “hot fall season of strikes” on several occasions because of the large number of dissatisfied workers in Serbia.

Unions unconvinced of govt. plans

Union officials, however, are not convinced of the government’s intentions. The Independence Union stated that it sees the government working group for helping those most effected by the crisis as just another empty promise.

One of the announced government measures which could potentially stop the large number of strikes announced for this fall is the adoption of the law for linking years of employment for workers.

Ljajić said that the package of measures calls for individual talks with officials of the fields most effective by this economic crisis: construction, metalwork, chemicals and textiles.

Ljajić added that problem in other sectors will not be overlooked. He said that talks are already being led with officials of the textile industry for implementing special measures for this field, which employs some 60,000 people.

As a cause of the desperate material situation of workers, in addition to the economic crisis, unions said that the lack of organization in the industry and the failed privatizations of the last ten years are also to blame.

Independent trade union center President Branislav Čanak said that the government is dealing with marginal issues in its efforts to help the workers of Serbia.

The government formed the working group for dealing with the problems caused by the economic crisis because there were a total of 30 ongoing strikes at the end of July in Serbia.

Workers are on strike in nearly every major city and town in Serbia. Unions have announced a “hot fall season of strikes” on several occasions because of the large number of dissatisfied workers in Serbia.